How do I remove chain links from my bicycle chain with house hold tools?

Question

I want to remove a couple chain links from my brand new bicycle chain but I don't want to buy the propper chain tools. What house hold tools would I be able to use to complete this (ex: hammer, screwdriver, etc...)?

Answer 1

well im not sure if you can rig anything with household tools but you can pick up a chain tool at wal-mart or meijer for something like 4 dollars.

Answer 2

a brand new chain should fit the drivetrain it was purchased for. why do you need to remove links? also, if you want to wrench your own bike, get a basic cycling tool kit (around $100), it'll include a chain break. even my multi-tool has a chain break on it. don't wreck your bike using "household tools." next time you want to use hammer and bicycle in the same sentence, make sure you're talking about hammering a few beers, after hammering the hills on the local club ride!

Answer 3

you bang on it really hard with a hammer till it breaks

Answer 4

You don't use household tools to work on a chain, unless you wish to damage the chain so that it will no longer work.  Use a chain tool, and make certain it is a chain tool that is appropriate for your chain.  For example you need a special tool to work on a Campy 10 speed chain.

But why do you want to remove links from your chain?  If you know enough to know that your chain is too long then you probably know enough to know that you need a proper chain tool.  If you don't know enough to know that you need a proper chain tool then you probably don't know enough to know that your chain is too long.

I suggest letting your LBS work on your bike until you acquire proper tools and know how to use them.  I have proper tools, know how to use them, but still mostly let my LBS do my repairs.  They don't charge much and usually can do the job faster and better than I can.  And, if you buy your chain tool from the LBS (on a slow day) they may be willing to teach you how to use it, so that you get the tool and a professional repair for the price of just the tool.

Answer 5

Nowadays, bicycle chain have a very tight "washer" that holds the pin to the chain links...You may try to remove it with pliers and a screwdriver to remove the "washer"

Remember , you can always tight the extra lenght of the chain by moving the back wheel back futher